Vertical circular shaping machine



w. F. GROENE VERTICAL CIRCULAR SHAPING MACHINE Filed April '5, 1943 5-Sheets-Sheet 1 June 15, 1943.

June 15, 1943.

F. GROENE VERTICAL CIRCULAR SHAPING MACHINE f5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 5, 1943 .E H mm Wm M mMn W M W m w w.

HTTORNEY June 15, 1943. w, GROENE 2,322,127

VERTICAL CIRCULAR SHAPING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. wmunm c aoaue wmszhk RTTORNEY June 15, 1943. w p GRQENEVERTICAL CIRCULAR SHAPING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 4RHPID RETURH- INVENTOR. WHJJBM F. QRQENE.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I'll,

w. F. GROENE VERTICAL CIRCULAR SHAPING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1943 June15, 1943.

CUTTNG FOSH'W IN VENTOR.

E H M Qm R T Q m F.

m U A WMM WORK REHEF PQSWION Patented June 15, 1943 2,322,127 VERTICALCIRCULAR SHAPING MACHINE William F. Groene, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignorto The R. K. Le Blond Machine Tool Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, acorporation of Delaware Application April 5, 1943, Serial No. 481,851

7 Claims. (Cl. 1(l101) This invention pertains to a vertical circularshaping machine and is especially related. to improvements in the designand arrangement of machine elements of such machine of a typeillustrated in applicant's prior application, Serial #423,600, filedDecember 19, 1941 (issued as Patent No. 2,318,305, May 4, 1943).Essentially the main idea of the present invention is to organize acircular shaping machine mechanism in a vertical arrangement to providemore efficient operation, better disposal of the chips, greater ease inmounting the work in the machine, and in providing better access to theentire machine mechanism for the operator.

Primarily it is an object to arrange the rocking work spindle of thecircular shaping machine in a vertical position above the working areaof the machine and to mount the work piece being operated upon at thelower end of the work spindle and to apply the cutting tool feedingmechanism to one side of the work spindle axis and to feed it toward thework mounted on the lower end of the work spindle. I

Another object is to arrange the manipulating controls for the toolfeeding devices to the right of the operator when facing the machine forconvenience in operating these mechanisms for exact setting, control,and movement of the cutting tools relative to the work piece mounted onthe work spindle.

Still another object of this invention is to mount all operatingmechanisms, for oscillating the work spindle and for indexing it to thevarious positions for step thread cutting, well above the working areaand work and tool contacting point of the machine so as to remove all ofthis mechanism from any possible coolant, cutting chips, or foreignmatter which may otherwise come in contact with this mechanism duringthe cutting operation.

A still further object of this invention is to have the actuatingmechanism, for rocking the Work spindle at feed and rapid return motion,operable in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of workrelief movement and substantially parallel to the direction of toolfeeding and setting movement of the machine in order to provide a moresmoothly operating apparatus when both the work rocking and tool reliefoperations are functioning together with the feeding movement of thecutting tools to the work piece on the work spindle.

Further features and advantages of this invention will appear from thedetailed description Figure III is a vertical transverse section throughthe vertical circular shaping machine, on the line III-III of Figures I,II, IV, and V, particularly showing the Work spindle mounting and theoscillating mechanism and work relieving mechanism of the shapingmachine, together with the indexing mechanism for setting the workspindle in various indexed positions for step thread cutting.

Figure IV is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section through themachine on the line IV-IV of Figures I and III, particularly showing theindexing mechanism for the work spindle for orienting it at diiferentpositions for step thread cutting. V

Figure V is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section on the line V-V ofFigure III, particularly showing the work relieving mechanism forremoving the work spindle away from the cutting tools during the returnstroke of the work spindle back to initial starting position for anotherarcuate shaping cut. 1 I

Referring particularly to Figure III, the machine comprises abase I ontop of which is mounted the coolant and chip collecting pan 2 and inwhich sets the upright column 3 securely 'fixed to the base portion I ofthe machine. In the upper portion of this column 3 is "rigidly mountedin a vertical position a trunnion shaft 4 which carries bearings 5 and 5in which is rockably mounted the work spindle headstock I havingportions la and 7b respectively containing bearings 8 and 9 inwhich isjournaled for both rotary and axial movement the work spindle H3. Inbetween the members la and lb is provided a suitable nut arrangement H:which operates on the threaded portion l2 of the work spindle It so thatas the work spindle is rocked in feeding and rapid return movements itwill likewise progress axially in the bearings 8 and 9 in instanceswhere a lead or step thread is'to be cut on a Work piece W mounted onthe lower end of the work spindle H] by any suitable chucking mechanisml3. I

Formed integral with the headstock 'l is the actuating arm 'lc,referring particularly to Figure V, which extends through a suitableopening 3a in the housing Band has at its rear end a pivot pin l4connected through a pair of links l5 and 16 to a pin ll, the link NSbeing connected by a pin 18 fixed in the housing 3, so as to form atoggle link arrangement connected by means of a third link l9 to thepiston rod 29 of a piston 2| in the work relief cylinder 22 fixed on therear portion of the column 3. Reciprocation of the piston 2| in cylinder22 rocks the headstock I about the trunnion axis 4 from a Workingposition indicated by the line 23 to a work relief position indicated bythe line 24, Figure V, the purpose of which motion is to remove the workfrom contact with the cutting edge of the tool as the work is rockedback again at rapid return motion for the beginning of another rockingfeed motion to thus prevent wear on the cutting edge of the tool anddamage and scuinng of the work piece.

The mechanism for rocking the work spindle E in the bearings 8 and 9 inthe headstock for eifecting the arcuate feeding and rapid return motionin the work W mounted on the work spindle, is best shown in Figures IIIand IV. On the upper end of the spindle It] is fixed the indexing disc25 having a plurality of indexing notches 26 corresponding, in thisparticular il lustration, to the number of different sets of stepthreads on a work piece W to be out. An indexing plunger 21 slidablymounted in the rocking housing 28, journaled in suitable bearings 29 and35 about the work spindle axis Ifla, is normally urged into contact withthe disc 25 and the various notches 25 by means of a suitable compression spring 3|. A control lever 32 connected at its upper end to anoperating arm 33 pivotally mounted on a suitable pin 34 on'the rockingmember 28 and having a depending bell crank arm 35 engaging in the slot35 of the index pin 21 may be utilized, when the operating rod 32 ispulled down, to withdraw the index pin 21 from one of the index notches26 to permit the free rotation of the disc and work spindle in itsbearings 8 and 9 to a desired reoriented position. Release of thecontrol rod 32 of course under the influence of the spring 3| will againpermit the index plunger 21 to reinsert itself in one of the indexingnotches brought into alignment with it. Thus the work spindle may be setat a plurality of difierent indexed positions and in connection with thenut I and thread l2 to also move the spindle to the desired axiallydisplaced position for properly cutting step threads on the a work pieceW.

In order to facilitate the rotation of the work spindle to the desiredposition a control mechanism is provided comprising the hand wheel 31carried on an operating shaft 38 in a depending bracket '39 which has onits upper end a pinion 40 operating in an idler gear 4| appropriatelyjournaled in the rocking house 28. This idler gear engages a gear 42fixed on the hub of the index disc 25 fixed on the work spindle I0.Thus, when the draw rod 32 is pulled down, the hand wheel 3! may berotated to bring the spindle and index disc 25 to any desired indexposition. Thus with the index pin 27 locked in one of the notches 26 ofthe index disc 25, rocking motion effected in the member 28 will causesimilar rocking motion of the work spindle I!) in the bearings 8 and 9in the headstock I. This rocking of the member 28 is accomplished byeffecting a motion of feed and rapid return in a direction substantiallyparallel to the direction of tool relief by the apparatus shown inFigure V. This reciprocating apparatus for the member 23 comprises afluid pressure cylinder 43 rigidly fixed to a bracket 44 mounted onsuitable screws 45 on the top of the housing 3 and contains a piston 46connected by means of a piston rod 4'! to a cross head 48 sliding inappropriate guide Ways 49 formed in the bracket 44. This cross head 48has fixed in it a pin 50 carrying a square block journaled upon it whichoperates in a slot 52 formed in the rear portion of the member 23 sothat the reciprocation of the cross head 48 by the piston 46 will causerocking motion in the member 28 around the axis Illa of the workspindle.

Motion of the piston 46 and cross head 43 takes place substantiallyparallel to the direction of work relief motion shown in Figure V. Bythis particular arrangement the difficulties with the connection formedby the square block 5| in the slot 52 of the manner 28 are substantiallycompletely eliminated as the relative swinging motion for work reliefhas relatively little effect on displacing the relationship of the block5| in the slot 52 of the member 28 and thereby cuts down wear,frictional losses, and other unnecessary motion which prevents thesmooth operation of the machine of former design. Thus when the piston46 moves to the left in Figure IV, the member 28 will be rocked andtogether with the index plunger 21 in a notch 26 rotates the workspindle l0 in a counterclockwise or feeding direction to effect anarcuate shaping cut on the work. Immediately upon the completion of thiscut the tool relief cylinder 22 operates to move the entire headstockfrom position 23 to position 24 whereupon the cylinder 43 has its piston46 moved back again to the right in Figure IV for rapid return rockingmotion of the work spindle bringing the work spindles back to an initialcutting position again ready for the beginning of another cutting feedmotion. As soon as the work spindle has been returned to this initialstarting position the cylinder 22 again operates to return the entireheadstock assembly from position 24 back to the position 23 whereuponthe piston 46 and cylinder 43 again make a forward feeding stroke. Thiscycle continues until the work has been completed.

In order to continue a cutting action of the cutting tools on the workthe tool feeding mechanism is provided which comprises a main slide 53carried on suitable dovetail guideways 54 for horizontal movement on thefront of the column 3 directly below the entire work spindle andheadstock assembly mechanism above described. On this slide is providedin instances where step threading is to be accomplished, a supplementaryslide 55 on suitable dovetail guideways 56 on the main slide 53.Suitable adjusting means 51 comprising the handwheel 51 having graduatedindicating mechanism 58 and positive accurate stop setting mechanism 59is provided for the accurate manipulation and setting of the main slide53. A supplemental slide used when cutting step threads, is likewiseprovided with accurate setting and ratchet feeding mechanism 69 andpositive stop mechanism 6| which need not be described in detail sincethe specific structure of this mechanism forms no particular part ofthis invention. On the supplemental slide 55 an appropriate tool holder62 is mounted having a suitable cutting tool 63, in this instance amultiple step thread cutting tool, for operating upon a work piece Whaving step threads such as a breech block for a gun. Thus with thisarrangement the entire cutting tool feeding mechanism comprising themain slide 53, the supplemental slide 55, and the tool holder 62 are alllocated below the spindle headstock mechanism and other operativestructures for controlling the movement of the work spindle. It willfurther be noted that these tool slides are mounted to the rear on themain column not directly below the cutting tool and work so that allmaterial cut from the work piece during the machining operations willdrop directly down into the front portion 2a of the chip coolant pan 2of the machine and will at no time deposit themselves upon any operativestructure of the lathe to there-by destroy their accuracy and causeforeign matter and dirt to become entangled in the operating mechanism.This brings about a high degree of maintained accurate life for themachine as a whole and also greatly facilitates manipulation of themachine on the part of the operator as the main operating mechanism forcontrolling tool feeding devices, requiring constant attention by theoperator, are easily accessible and free from any interference by otherportions of the machine structure. Normally, during the feeding of thesecutting tool devices while the spindle is operating in rocking feed andrapid return and in tool relief motions as described with respect toFigures IV and V, the apparatus 60 constantly feeds the cutting tool 63into the work until the desired depth is reached and the stop 6| comesinto play. The main slide 53 may be set to any desired fixed positionfor straight cutting perpendicular to the axis lea of rotation of thework spindle or may be set to a given angular position for theparticular type of work piece which is to be operated upon by thefeeding motion effected in the slide 55.

Having thus fully set forth and described my invention what I claim asnew and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a circular shaping machine; a frame; a horizontally rockableheadstock mounted upon said frame; a work spindle rotatable and axiallymovable in said headstock about a vertical axis; work holding mechanismon the lower end of said work spindle; tool feeding mechanism mounted onsaid frame below said headstock for movement relative to the work pieceon said work spindle; and means for rocking said headstock, rotatingsaid work spindle, and feeding said tool feeding devices relative to awork piece mounted on the lower end of said work spindle.

2. In a circular shaping machine; a base; a vertically disposed columnmounted on said base; a rockable headstock .pivotally mounted on avertical axis on the upper end of said column; means on said column forrocking said headstock; a rotatable and axially movable work spindlejournaled in said headstock; work holding mechanism on the lower end ofsaid work spindle; tool feeding devices mounted on said column belowsaid work spindle; cutting tools on said tool feeding devices; and meansfor actuating said tool feeding devices relative to a work piece mountedon the lower end of said work spindle.

3. In a circular shaping machine; a base; a vertically disposed columnmounted on said base; a rockable headstock pivotally mounted on avertical axis on the upper end of said column; means on said column forrocking said headstock; a rotatable and axially movable work spindlejournaled in said headstock; work holding mechanism on the lower end ofsaid work spindle; tool feeding devices mounted on said column belowsaid work spindle; cutting tools on said tool feeding devices; and meansfor actuating said tool feeding devices relative to a work piece mountedon the lower end of said work spindle; means on said headstock forrotating said work spindle to a plurality of indexed positions; andmeans on said column for rocking said work spindle in said headstock.

4. In a vertical circular shaping machine; a frame; a headstock movablymounted on said frame; means on said frame for actuating said headstockin said movement; a work spindle journaled in said headstock; meansjournaled on said work spindle for rocking said work spindle in saidheadstock; means in connection with said last mentioned means forrotating said work spindle to a plurality of indexed positions relativeto said rocking means for said work spindle; and means on said frame forbodily actuating said rocking means for rocking said Work spindle; andtool feeding devices on said frame associated with the lower end of saidwork spindle for engaging a work piece mounted thereon.

5. In a circular shaping machine; a frame; a headstock horizontallymovably mounted on the upper portion of said frame; tool feeding devicesassociated with said headstock mounted onthe lower portion of same framefor horizontal feeding movement relative to a work spindle mounted insaid headstock; means on said movable headstock for rocking said workspindle; means for indexing said work spindle to a plurality ofdifferent positions in said headstock; means on said frame for movingsaid headstock, for moving said rocking mechanism for said work spindle,and for feeding said tools relative to a work piece on said workspindle.

6. In a vertical circular shaping machine; a base; an upright columnmounted on said base; a headstock pivotally mounted for swinging about avertical axis on said upper portion of said column; a work spindlejournaled in said headstock for rocking and axial movement therein;means on said column for rocking said headstock; a rocking framejournaled on said Work spindle; means for locking said frame to saidwork spindle; and means on said column for actuating said rocking memberto effect rocking motion in said work spindle; tool feeding deviceslocated on the lower portion of said column below said headstock andWork spindle; and cutting tools on said tool feeding devices adapted toengage work mounted on the lower end of said work spindle.

'7. In a vertical shaping machine; a base; a vertically arranged columnmounted on said base; a headstock pivotally mounted on the upper portionof said column; means on said column for rocking said headstock; a Workspindle journaled in said headstock for rotary and axial movementtherein; a rocking member journaled on said work spindle; means on saidframe for actuating said rocking member; indexing mechanism positivelyconnecting said rocking member to said Work spindle; means for engagingor disengaging said indexing mechanism; means for rotating said workspindle when said positive indexing driving means is disconnected fromsaid work spindle; tool feeding mechanism associated with said workspindle located on the frame-below said headstock; a horizontallymovable slide in said tool feeding device; an angularly movable slide onsaid first mentioned tool feeding slide; and means for effecting feedingmotion in said slide relative to a work piece mounted on the lower endof said work spindle.

WILLIAM F. GROENE.

